Barely Breathing: Part Three

by kiwifruit487

It was right that the couple was cheating big. Kihalai wanted to run up to them and make a scene, but she didn't and couldn't as the gun shot off and everyone dived into the water. It was also a truth that the cheating couple were very slow because the rockets didn't work in water and the heaviness even slower them. Kihalai grinned at the cheater's failure and hugged Kerusta as they finished first. That was good as it averaged their overall score from the first part to 4th place as there were 8 couples who were competing in the game.

Kihalai was so happy, but they she forgot about the hourglass and so she looked for a place to hide. She crept to behind the competition truck where inside were the planning and the prizes of the competition. She carefully took the hourglass out and examined it; it was half filled with water. Kihalai panicked and knew that if it was fully filled, she would return to heaven, but she didn't want to leave. Quickly, she carefully averted the hourglass and let the water drip out of it. She gave a sigh of relief when she was done. She was just about to come out from the back when she heard voices from inside the truck and they didn't sound normal. They were quiet, but demanding tones coming from inside.

"We have to make it like there was a mistake, so we can keep the million Neopoints!" a deep voice boomed.

Kihalai gave a small gasp of surprise and anger, but she stayed still and listened on.

"How will we do it?" asked a high-pitched voice, "I'd say we sneak the million Neopoints out of here right on the third and last part which will be in two days."

"Yes, that will do," replied the deep voice, "More wine Rinsko, more wine!"

"Yes sir," said a small servant girl Moehog as Kihalai peered through the window.

The deep voice was spoken by a large Elephante in a huge armchair and the high-pitched voice from the Quiggle that registered the competitors. Kihalai frowned with disgust at their cheating games and wanted to break in, but she knew that there would just be more trouble, for herself. So she waited behind the truck and then the NeoPets inside started moving outside. When they left for the left dock, Kihalai took mental notes of which direction they were going and they left for home.

Her owner and other siblings were all very happy to see Kihalai and Gyka just winked at her smiling. Kihalai was overjoyed to see her family again too, especially when she encountered the seemingly lonely heaven. That night, there was huge party at their house because it was Gyka's one year birthday and Kihalai congratulated Gyka gracefully and handed him her present that she saved under her bed. Gyka opened his presents with gleaming eyes and hugged Kihalai when he opened hers. It was a Speckled paintbrush. Kihalai watched as Gyka carefully placed the paintbrush to the end of the collection, next to the Faerie paintbrush. The party cheered Kihalai up a whole lot and even Kerusta stopped by long enough to dance with her. It was the best and maybe even last party.

Kihalai was sobbing with joy. She couldn't believe that she was alive to see Gyka's birthday. When midnight chimed, the party ended. She helped cleaning up when she noticed a small red piece of paper falling from the Quiggle who came too - the Quiggle who co-founded the competition. A ripple of anger was felt as Kihalai read what it said.

"Two past midnight on the day of the third task will it happen The treasure they searched will be shipped away The answer will be it was stolen and sunk away into the horizon So the NeoPets can search in vain they may."

No, thought Kihalai, they will take the 1 million Neopoints in a day when the last part of the competition will occur. She had to do something about it. She watched the Quiggle out and then as the house went busy into cleaning, she hopped out and followed the Quiggle. The Quiggle arrived at a dock where the Elephante was ordering the servants or slaves to carry the gold onto the ship. Kihalai noticed the small Moehog that she saw earlier at the truck. She was a small Yellow Moehog called Rinsko by the Elephante, Kihalai remembered, and she was extremely shy and scared. "Psst," whispered Kihalai.

Rinsko turned around and stared at Kihalai. She gave a huge gasp and Kihalai clasped a paw around her mouth and said, "Shhh... we must stop these cheaters!"

Rinsko seemed to understand and nodded softly, then whispered, "We could bomb the ship maybe, ma'am. There are illegal bombs on the back of the ship."

Kihalai nodded and whispered, "OK, I will set the bomb to blow at 2:20 AM tomorrow because the ship leaves at 2 AM so just jump off the ship as soon as the time comes."

At these words, Rinsko nodded nervously and Kihalai crept onto the ship. She set the bomb and then just when she crept out, she could see someone been arrested by the Elephante and the Quiggle. That someone who got locked in was Kerusta! Apparently, he had also suspected their dirt and crept onto the ship, but unsuccessfully, he got caught. Kihalai had to think of something, but she couldn't go back and undo the bomb as shadows of everyone appeared around her.

To be continued...